2020 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2020 Kia Forte
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 2020 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 198 | 75 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 770 | 100 |
| Investigations | 1 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 10 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 28–33 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 68,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 59 | 17 |
| Power Train | 58 | 16 |
| Electrical System | 57 | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 42 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 4 |
| Steering | 16 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 29 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 21 | 0 |
| Stalling | 20 | 10 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 7 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 6 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 0 |
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
2020 Kia Forte
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Forte years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.